Sunday, May 24, 2015

The good and bad of blogging......................

Grab a cup of tea of coffee because this might be a long post. Last night something happened as a result of blogging that really shocked me to my core. A wonderful reader of this humble blog of mine contacted me stating that she had received an email from someone using Little Buddy's photo on a gofundme.com campaign to raise money. This blogger took the time to open this email she received, search the site and contact me regarding the contents. And as soon as I got her email I searched the site and with further help from her found a picture of my beautiful boy representing a bogus story to raise money. I felt sick to my stomach, I still do. With this readers help we were able to contain this situation before it got out of hand, and after several emails to gofundme.com the picture was removed and then that site was shut down. I am so disturbed that someone would go on my blog and take advantage of my disabled son, but in the land of social media where everything is out there I guess I should not be surprised.

I am a careful blogger. I don't mention my family by name, I don't post on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or any of the other sites. I thought I was being diligent, but it was not enough. My first reaction was to completely shut down this blog and remove all the contents of it. I want to make sure no one takes advantage of my son. But after a very restless night and a good long talk with my sister Claudia, I have calmed down a bit and my thoughts are now moving in a different direction.

You see we need to be there for each other just like this amazing reader was there for me and for Little Buddy. She emailed me no less than seven times on a Friday evening to help me get to the bottom of this situation, she even included her phone number in case I needed more help. And without her diligence and help Little Buddy would be used in a way that is sickening to think about. We need to be aware and take the time to help each other just like this reader was there for me. We need to be positive with each other and help when we can. I will probably never meet the reader who helped me, but if I could I would give her the biggest hug ever. There are horrible people out there in this big scary world of ours. People who happen upon a blog and steal a picture of a little boy to make money off of him. Now we know far worse things happen in life, but look how easy this was to do. And without help from a friend I would have never known it was happening.

So after a lot of thought and wisdom from my older sister I have decided that if I were to shut down this blog then the ugly, pathetic people out there would win. I enjoy blogging because of the interaction I have with all of you. I thought seriously about never including Little Buddy again, but you would miss him, he is such an inspiration to me and so many. He is on a journey that is interesting and motivating in so many ways. I want to capture that for all of you and for him.

So for now I remain here standing strong and steady. But I stand here with all of you standing right next to me, holding my hands and creating a big circle of friendship. I am here for you just as you are here for me. We have to take care of each other and watch out for each other with love and compassion. We have to reach out to each other when we see something that is not right, just like my friend did for me and Little One.

My emotions are all over the place right now. I am disgusted, and feeling violated in a way. But overall I am feeling gratitude to a reader who took the time to help me out and make sure Little Buddy was not taken advantage of. Lets be there for each other and learn a lesson that we are stronger together than we are apart.

And just to prove my point here is our little guy. Boy is he in need of a haircut!

75 comments:

Bless the reader who took the time to alert you to this situation and who willingly gave her time to help you. As for the lowlife who would use Little Buddy's photo to attempt to raise money for a bogus cause, well....I can't use those words here.

This made me gasp! I am shocked and saddened by the fact that someone would steal Little Buddy's photo and use it for 'profit'. But in this day and age I know it happens all the time. Thank goodness your reader saw this and helped you shut it down. I am glad you are going to continue to blog, I am someone who is inspired by your little guy and would miss his smiling face. We are a community and we do stick together. We can defeat the bad guys. Big hugs to you and your reader who helped!

That is despicable! I am so glad she was able to alert you to the situation. It does make me think about how much to share online. It is a scary world, but I firmly believe that there are many more good people in the world than bad. I'm glad you are going to continue your blog and not let them win. Hugs

Sorry, Meredith. I hate this for you, but it's surprisingly common. I think we take a chance whenever we blog that someone out there will try to do something hurtful, or at best, disingenuous with our personal info. I think that in some ways the other social media platforms are actually safer because you can choose to make everything private and only seen by people you invite. You can do that with blogs too, but it would certainly limit the audience and be a lot less fun. I'm glad your friend alerted you to the situation and you've been able to stop the fraudulent activity. Take care and enjoy the holiday weekend.

Oh Meredith, I am so so sorry for you that you had this happen. It is so awful and I am appalled and very upset for you. I cannot imagine how or why people think that this sort of behaviour could ever be acceptable. I am sure that your sister has given you great advice and I do hope that you will feel able to continue. Trying to find a little scrap of good, how good that the blogger got in touch with you and provided so much assistance in dealing with this. That shows that there are nice and good people out there. Please know that not everyone is like the terrible person who did this and that we all love you and Buddy an awful lot and are here for you in the very best, and only the best of ways. So sorry that you have this rough time, I know myself how much it shocks you to the core when something unpleasant happens in blogland, but you will come past this I very much hope. Keep on keeping on and don't let the nasties get you down. Big big big big hugs to you. xxxx

I just thought of something else. I am sure that you have already thought of this, but you could watermark either all of your pictures, or just the pictures of Buddy with your blog name across them and then it would be very difficult for anyone to take them. xx

I am sickened by the depravity of some of the world yet so heartened by the goodness of others. "little buddy" is a ray of sunshine to me when I see his pricture I smile just at the sight of him. Consider watermarking any pictures of him which would make it way more difficult for them to steal his image. Love your blog and all of us "good guys" have your back!!! Cindy

I'm so happy you didn't let these people win.out in the end. There are more good people in this world then bad but we only heard about the bad. But you have shown the good side of friends even the ones we don't know personally

I am shocked!!!! It has also given me food for thought...indeed!!!! Bravo to that diligent reader who contacted you! It is reasons like this that I continue to blog although not as much as I would like to. )-:I am so thankful to your sister who made you realize that giving up blogging was not the answer and because from a very selfish point of view I would miss your posts and the pics of your little guy terribly!!!

What an absolutely horrible thing for someone to do. I've been reading Claudia's blog for a long time, and she alerted us all to what is going on. Be strong. I believe there are more good than bad people in the world. Why should you have to give up blogging because some money-grabbing moron tries to take advantage of your situation. Stick with it, Thanks to Claudia you now have at least one more blog reader on your side. Blessings to you and your family

What a terrible situation, but thankfully, it sounds like it is resolved with the help of your reader/friend. I have read other articles similar to yours where children's photos were stolen from blogs and put on other websites. I'm glad you got this taken care of quickly and the sounds like the site has been shut down. Thinking of you, Heather

Dear Meredith..this is an appalling thing to happen to you and your family.I do understand the awful feeling of being violated. It is as if everything you hold dear in your life has been "dirtied" and abused. Thank Heaven your wonderful blogging friend stepped in to alert you and to help you. Like many of your readers, I would so miss your company...and I would especially miss that bright ray of goodness and courage that is Little Buddy. I'm so glad that you have a loving sister to support and comfort you.Your readers love coming here and please do feel the support and love that we send to you.xoxo, Ellen.

As a mother I too have worried over including pictures of my children on my blog and I feel for you and your family. this would sicken me too but Iam glad that you had the help of a lovely and very helpful blogger thank goodness! I am also glad that you have not withdrawn your blog and have chosen to carry on. I have loved reading your blog it has also made me take stock of my own situation and hope that all of us bloggers can pull together so that these awful people don't get anywhere with these sort of low sickening stunts. Ali x

That is the sad thing about the internet :( I don't share personal details and copyright all my photos as I've learnt the hard way and had them stolen and re used in the past. even when they are copyright there isn't much you can do, but you have more of a claim. it's a sad fact of life these day's that people just take what they want.bless the person who let you know.

They may not have actually got the photo from your blog, you are blogging on google, that means every photo you put on your blog is held on google search engines for anyone to access.so anyone, anywhere can google images from your blog without going on it.shame on them for using your son's photo. I'm glad they got shut down.

Dear sweet Meredith - I am so upset that this happened to you. To think of someone using Little Buddy as an sham to get money just makes me sick to my stomach. I am so glad that someone alerted you about that and that you got it taken care of. That person is a sick and sad person taking advantage of a precious little child.

Oh my, that makes me teary and my stomach hurts...It feels like I am attacked, not you guys. I am so sorry to hear that this happened and I would totally understand if you stopped blogging. But I am so glad that you don't, and that you are stronger than those ugly people out there!!! Big hugs for you and your beautiful boy(s), Mirjam.

Meredith, that is absolutely sickening, I'm so sorry that you've had to go through that. Thank goodness you found out and had it stopped. I suspect there are all sorts of horrible scams going on out there. There are some very miserable despicable people. You've dealt with it very well I think. Sending you a cyber hug. CJ xx

What a dispictable persopn to take a picture and use it for her/his gain! Some people can sink so low that even the hsir on their head wouldn't show above ground!!! GRRR Thank God that a reader saw it and alerted you to this and you were able to stop it!Would water marking your pictures help? I don't know much about this. Or do something to them to make them unusable to another lowlife? I just want to send you a big HUG! I hope you can enjoy the rest of your day. But I know it will take awhile to get over this scary thing.

We take a chance when we step out into Blogland, and no matter how careful we are, unsavoury people may still take advantage of our openness. But thank God for all the others - the true friends - like the gal who alerted and helped you. She and others like her are why we stay in Blogland. Bless her!

I see a couple of other commenters have suggested watermarking your photos - that was my first thought as well. I don't know if you use any particular photo editor, but it's pretty easy to do.

Hang in there and stay brave! You know we are all behind you (and behind LB too). Hugs to you both, dear bloggy friend!

::sigh:: I cannot believe how creepy some people are. I'm so glad your sister was there to support you and help you though it all. And bravo to you for making sure that was taken down. It just makes my blood boil that you had to go through all that because of some lowlife. BUT.. I'm glad you decided not to let them have the control over your destiny. There is way more good in this universe than bad. Love you.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Good lord that is absolutely outrageous. What a scumbag (s). It seems at times there is no decency or respectable behaviour in our world anymore. It's sickening and appalling to say the least. Gross. I hope you continue as you are always a high point in my day! I think little Buddy's story is important. Big hug to you my friend. Chris

I was heartened by the fact that you were alerted to this situation so quickly. It was sickening to use your beautiful little boy for gain, he makes me smile every time I see his little face. Sending you both hugs.

Claudia is right..despicable..is what it is..When I read that some happened I never imagined that it was something this disgusting..to take advantage of your sweet, lovable little guy because he has disabilities makes me nauseous..Thank goodness you were able to put a stop to it with your readers help..Sending hugs to you and little Buddy..and hopes that you never have to deal with this again..Just look at that precious face...you are both blessed to have each other..

Oh Meredith. I'm am just so saddened by this. I'm one of those people that always look on the world and think, "Well no one would REALLY do that would they?" I hate to always have to be watching and I post family photos on my blog all of the time. I am SO, SO glad that one of your readers saw that picture and took the time to contact you and help you remove it. Also, that Claudia shared her words of wisdom with you. She's right. We can't let these evil people win. We love you, Little Buddy, Mr. 21 and Mr Teenager who isn't a teen any longer. :-) I would really hate to lose this friendship that has developed through your wonderful blog. Love ya Meredith. Hugs from the Northwest.Blessings,Betsy

I feel sick to the stomach reading this Meredith, there are some vile people out there and I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. Thank goodness your blogging friend saw what was going on and that you were able to put a stop to this. Sending you and LB big hugs. xxx

I'm so glad you decided to continue with the blog. I love reading about your adventures with Little Buddy. Please don't let these awful people get to you, there are so many more good people out here who want to be on your side. Bless you both and the boys xx

I'm so glad you decided to continue with the blog. I love reading about your adventures with Little Buddy. Please don't let these awful people get to you, there are so many more good people out here who are on your side. Big hugs to you and the boys xx

Meredith, I was shocked when I read this post, but then I have to realize the people today are not the same as those that I grew up with in my day. There is always someone trying to earn money without having to work for it. It just makes me mad that they can't earn it the right way instead of trying pry off of innocent people and their children. I would miss your precious Buddy because I do like to hear his adventures and watch him grow, Many Hugs and Prayers coming your way from your Missouri Friend Shirley

Oh just reading this made e cry. It doesn't take much today for sure. I can't believe that people do things like that. And of all pictures that of your darling sweet boy. I worry about posting pics of my family because the job that one of them has. I try not to mention names other than Mabel's. I just love her name. I am so glad someone alerted you. This bloggy world is God send. Prayers, positive thoughts and looking out for each other. I do believe that it is a good thing. Please stay wih us. I couldn't stand not seeing his pictures. He just makes me smile, even today.

my heart breaks for the abuse you and your family suffered, but rest assured that for every 'stinker' out there....there are dozens of really really good people, and luckily one of them was there to come to your aid. :)

Mere,I am so very sorry this happened to you. and to Lil buddy. We do have to be very diligent in this cyberworld. I want to think the good win in this world and an angel looked out for you and Lil buddy in this situation. I'd miss your blog so very much if you didnt have it.

ONward and upward: Lets not let them take another moment of our world.

I have the chills right now....first I want to say how sorry I am that you had to go through this Meredith. I won't even waste my time saying what I think of that yucky person. The thing is I think about this all of the time....Im not on anything but my blog and Pinterest and like you try my best to be careful but you just never know. And like you I would have a mix of emotions if this happened to me. God bless that reader and God bless you for standing strong my friend! Yes together we have to take care of each other in this space and be aware and look out for each other. And yes...that sweet boy inspires and brings so much joy! Take care my friend.......Nicole xoxo

That's terrible!! I am always worried and I usually don't frequently post images but still I have posted my family pics sometimes. There are so many pics people post on Facebook and they might be getting misused in some or the other way. But again, how long do we have to live in fear like that ?

Hi Meredith-- I read here from time to time... I mostly read @ MHC. I just wanted to come over and read your story, and say GOOD FOR YOU! I appreciate our friends in the blogging world, and I appreciate you most of all STANDING TALL against crimes like this. I hope that even though the site took down their bogus fund-raiser... that the CRIMINAL IS punished for being fraudulent. Taking it down isn't enough. They will move on and prey on others... and that makes me sad. ...bunch of CREEPS!

praise God for your faithful reader to alert you to the situation. Little Buddy... adorable, and that hair... I personally like the scrappy look on little boys! It's cute. ;)

Oh sweetie, what an awful thing for you to go through. It's certainly true there are some god awful people out there but in equal context there are some extremely good people too. I hope you can come to terms with the situation soon & I'm glad you were able to make the decision to carry on blogging. Take care my dear xx

I'm appalled by this. There are some truly awful people in the world. I like Amy's suggestion of watermarking your photos of Little Buddy. I only put up pics of the backs of my kids, I hate to think of them being misused. You are doing the right thing by moving past this, and the reader who alerted you is a great person...there are more of her sort than the bad sort who do awful things like this I like to think! Best wishes to you and yours xx

Dear Meredith....I am so sorry that this happened to you and that precious little boy. It is such a horrible feeling to be used in such a manner. I am glad that you decided to continue with your blog and featuring Lil Buddy. He is such an inspiration to all who read about him. Thank you for all you share.

I'm sorry Meredith. I read where this happened on another blog of a child who had cancer, and they took advantage by setting up a donation site. It's really unbelievable what people will do for the almighty dollar. I'm so glad you were able to resolve it - and that you will continue to blog as well. We are all here for you :)

Oh Meredith!!! You are right in your thinking, that if you shut your blog down the bad guys win!! I have quite a few expletives to say but they can't be said here but you bad guys out there know who you are and what you are thought of!!! It has always been true that we are much stronger together than separate; something the world seems to be forgetting more and more.

Less people are blogging these days so the connections those of us who are still blogging have is even more precious.

We have taken a modern technology and chosen to use if for good rather than bad. We have a powerful message to put forth with our online journaling via our blogs - we are connected as a special group of people who have learned to communicate kindness, friendship, love and beauty for one another despite the oftentimes great distances between us!!!

So, we cannot allow the stinkers to take that precious gift away from us!!! As you have told me on many occasions when I have been thinking about no longer blogging - YOUR SWEET, CARING VOICE WOULD BE TERRIBLY MISSED IN THIS BIG BAD WORLD!

Meredith-- there is a special place in h--- for someone who would take advantage of your precious boy and his situation in this manner. I'm so sorry that such people even exist in this world-- but sadly they do.

I'm glad that you were able to resolve this issue so quickly. Thank you for not allowing this awful person to win. We all love your beautiful boy and would miss seeing his photos and his stories...

My heart goes out to you!!! I can only imagine what it was like for you to see your Little Buddy being abused in this way!! One of the bloggers that I follow is Gail Dixon. Her blog name is Louisiana Belle. She is a photographer that takes awesome shots of nature. she puts on every single one of her photos a signature, or ink blot?? Not really sure what it is called, but you could put a Mereknits signature on your Little Buddy photos and even of your other family members photos so they're not able to be copy and pasted??? Also, I think there is a setting in blogger that does not allow a person to copy and paste ???? At one time there was this setting!!I'm glad that you'll continue to share your Little Buddy!! It's amazing to watch his progress AND to see your wonderful talent of knitting and crocheting.

Such a terrible person to use you like this! I too have a handicapped child, I do not blog but love to read blogs in my down time of caring for her. So glad you have decided to keep going, and grateful to Gofundme for being an honorable company.

Oh Meredith..I got chills reading your post. I understand how you felt violated. What an awful thing to discover. Thank goodness for your blogging friend to help you sort it out. I'm glad you are keeping with the blog. I would miss you and miss watching Little Buddy grow!Enjoy the rest of your long weekend.hugs, Bethp.s. - and if you want to feel better about your yarn stash, come check out my yarn room! ;-)

Thanks for posting. My first reaction to your experience was to want to take down my blog, too...to circle round the wagons and hunker down to protect our loved ones, but I respect Claudia's counsel and am grateful for the blogging friend who alerted you to the problem and helped you resolve it.

I want to learn more about how to protect our photos...the technical part of blogging still challenges me...

I am so glad your sister gave you good advice. It is absolutely sickening that someone tried to exploit your beautiful little boy. But to stop blogging or to stop blogging about Little Buddy would truly be allowing them to win!

Obviously I am one of many, many people who love your blog and you and Little Buddy. That love is far more powerful than some jerk!

So sorry this happened Meredith. I read both your blog and Claudia's and enjoy them both so much. I am thankful each time I read them that there are people like you who are so open and share your life with all of us. I am also thankful that there are so many good people who reached out to help from the lovely reader who found the picture to begin with to the people who have suggested ways to protect your photos. It is proof that there are far more good people out there than bad, and yes, we do have to watch out for one another.

Dear Meredith. I quite like Little Buddy's funky hairstyle :-) I am so so sorry that somebody has been exploiting the little man's photo, and your blog Meredith. It makes me sick to the stomach to think there are such horrid individuals out there. I am ever so glad that you are remaining strong and that you are continuing telling us about your life, yours is such a beautiful place to visit. I am sending you a huge cyber hug. Christina xxx

What a horrible thing to do - I’m shocked, don’t know what to say.Can’t help but think of all those genuine calls for help, and how this kind of thing puts doubts into peoples minds as regards to helping someone in need.Big Hugs to you and Little Buddy.

Meredith, I am in disbelief of what someone DID. What is wrong with this world, god bless the reader who informed you! She is what I call a good and kind human being! I would also like to thank you her and give her a hug for what she did for you and your family. We all love you and your family and I'm glad you will still blog, but I guess we can not be too careful. The question is why?!!!! But it's the evil people out there that we have to watch, once again, thank you to that reader.Love to you and LB always, xoRobin

Oh Meredith how awful. Well, more evidence that the world has more rat-bastards in habiting it, than the good honest people. Like we needed more evidence. Glad to hear you are standing firm!! And good show to the friend who found it.

Meredith I'm so sorry there are some truly terrible people out there. But also as you so rightly observe some truly wonderful people too. I'm very glad that this was discovered, and that action was taken. What a funny mixed up world we live in. thinking of you, and so glad to see a new Little Buddy photo :) xx

Oh my!!! I can't even imagine how sick that must have made you! It was hard enough to just read about. I am positive that the good people outnumber the bad, but the bad ones really can ruin things. SO glad you had a blogging buddy who had your back!

Ugh. All your feelings are obviously valid, and I'm glad you have Claudia to help you sort through it all. I'm glad you are remembering that despite the bad, evil and mean out there, we are here too. We're alright ;) You and LB brighten up our days out here in the interwebs. I'm sorry about the @ssholes. But I'm glad someone was looking out. Hug from afar.

Oh and I don't know, LB's hair is kind giving me that rocker vibe without being in his eyes. Hair in the eyes ... that's what drives Mom crazy in my house. Oh I'm mom. ha!

Wow! How shocking and awful that someone would do that! But, how wonderful that someone who reads your blog saw it and was able to let you know so you could stop it. That's the amazing part! I once read a blog post on another blog I follow where she told about how she'd found out that someone was re-posting all of her posts on their own blog as if it was their life stories and projects. So weird! Ever since then, I've wondered what could be happening with things I send out in blogland and other places. It's a upsetting thought. But, like you, in the end, we have to stand together and focus on all the good people out there, live our lives, blog if we want to! I'm so glad you're not giving up. And, I'll be happy to continue seeing little buddy and his accomplishments and adventures. Hugs!

I've tried several times to write a comment, and just can't seem to come up with the right words. I'm so thankful that a blogger was able to help you right what was a terrible situation. One of the reasons I enjoy the blogging world is because it reminds me that there are good people out there. That one of the "not good people" should intrude into that world is very disheartening. And that they would use your precious son for financial gain is disgusting. Hugs to you dear Meredith...

Gosh that is truly disgusting! I am always amazed how some people find a way to use good things in a bad way. So glad you didn't let them win, and I sure am glad your friend contacted you and that the evil post was shut down.How can people be so dispicable? Hugs to you for hanging in.